As everybody knows – Dioramas Kick Ass! Those awesome little cardboard boxes detailed with globs of glue and faded construction paper that make history just jump to life! And do you know what kinds of Dioramas Kick the most Ass? Why ones about the History of Oregon, of course!!

Here’s how it works: Create a diorama depicting a Kick Ass Oregon Historical event (check out the podcasts and website for inspiration), take photos of your masterpiece, and email them to oregonhistorian@gmail.com by February 14, 2013 (Oregon’s Birthday!). The winners will be announced at the Stumptown Stories show at the Jack London Bar (in the basement of the Rialto at 529 SW 4th) on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Winners will bask in fame and glory and gain a whole gang of fourth grades who HATE YOU and constantly sing-song “my diorama was better than yours” each and everytime they see you at Freddies. Oh – AAANNDD win some prizes!!

Entries will be judged on four categories, each worth 10 points:

Kick Ass-ness

Oregon Historical Significance

Originality

Ass Kicken-ness!

And if you bring your diorama to the Jack London show on February 19th, you’ll earn 5 bonus points!

The winner of the top diorama entry wins:

A Complimentary Guest Pass to an upcoming Kick Ass Oregon History Tour!!! AND Internet Fame AND the panache to tell Suzie Snotgrass at the 15th Reunion, “Oh shut your trap, Bitch!”

The Winner: The winner will be selected in a random drawing of all valid entries* on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 5pm.

*The Timbers player you select does not have to be on the currently active roster, but must be on or have been on the roster this season (so Adam Moffat and Ryan Pore, for example, are valid entries).

A valid email address must be provided in the appropriate field below so that I can contact you if you win. You do not, however, have to give a real name, and you can leave the Website field blank. I will not use the email address for anything except contacting the winner. The winner will be contacted by email and ticket delivery arrangements must be made before noon on Wednesday, July 27, or the tickets will be given to someone else – so make sure to check your email!

One entry per person please!

Don’t fret if your comment does not show up immediately – for various reasons some comments go into moderation, but I will attempt to approve them promptly!

In August of 1968, a farm girl from rural Indiana stepped off a plane in Saigon, Viet Nam. The people and events that led her there and her subsequent adventures make for an extraordinary tale that is truly stranger than fiction. Based on the life of the playwright’s mother, Threads is a one-woman show illustrating and illuminating how interconnected we human beings are, how we never know the influence a seemingly small action might have, and how in the span of an instant some people can change our lives forever.

Threads runs from January 27 to February 12, 2011 (8pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 6pm Sundays) at The Headwaters Theatre (55 NE Farragut Street #9). Tickets are $15 at the door or online at Hula Hub (Consider a $50 Fertile Ground festival pass if you plan to see two or more shows, but bear in mind he festival pass is valid only for Threads performances 1/27-2/6).

In the book she relates personal stories and struggles of her several decades experience convincing first herself, then bureaucrats, planners, engineers, and the public at large (including her own family) that bicycling is not just kids stuff. The stories are inspirational; relating both tiny and big steps forward through the morass of politics and public opinion.

Portland is the setting for many of her stories, as Birk was the Bicycle Program Manager for the city from 1993-1999. Portland’s bicycle culture and infrastructure are now regarded as shining examples of what is possible in American cities. One wonders where we would be now if it weren’t for Mia Birk’s work. Any one interested in Portland’s bicycling history and culture will enjoy this book. Activists and bicyclists from anywhere will enjoy the inspirational stories and possibly learn a thing or two about promoting bicycling in their own cities.

For a chance to win a copy of Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, share one thing you like about bicycling in the comments below. On Friday, January 7 2011 at noon I will draw the name of one commenter randomly and send them a copy of the book for free!

Anyone can visit of course. Admission is free for members, $9 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+), $6 for youth (ages 6 – 18), and free for children ages 5 and younger. The mansion is open every day from November 22 until January 2nd 2011, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours daily are 11am until 4pm.

But how would you like to visit one of Portland’s most elegant historic homes during the holiday season for free?

Win a pair of admission tickets to the Pittock Mansion – I have three pairs to give away!

On Friday, December 17 2010 at 6am three randomly chosen commenters will win a pair of tickets!

As always, it’s super easy to enter – just tell us what you like about old houses in the comments below!

(Please use a real email address so that I can contact you if you win – no one else will see your email address, and I will not use it for anything else besides this contest to contact you if you win!)